Biltmore Hotel

A Brief History: The Biltmore Hotel is located at 11 Dorrance St. Providence, RI. Considered the oldest hotel in Rhode Island, it was built in 1922 and opened in 1925 as part of the Bowman – Biltmore Hotel Chains. It was built in the same architectural style as Grand Central Station in NYC, its main investor being Johan Leisse Weisskopf of whom was rumored to be a Satanist. Besides the beauty of the hotel, it featured some unusual things such as chicken coops on the roof, and hot springs in the basement.

During the Prohibition era, the basement functioned as a speakeasy, throughout the years became host to members of the mob, elites such as Louis Armstrong, Douglas Fairbanks, F. Scott, and Zelda Fitzgerald. It also served as inspiration to the likes of Stephen King and Robert Bloch for their famous movies featuring the Overlook Hotel and Bates Motel. Due to this, the hotel gained a certain reputation.  In 1947 the Hotel was bought by Sheraton and then sold again 20 years later. It finally closed in 1975 and sat vacant for 4 years. Not wanting such a historic landmark go to waste, Mayor Buddy Cianci along with local businessmen rehabilitated it and formally named it a historic landmark. It reopened in 1979 and has changed hands multiple times until AJ Capital Partners purchased it in 2017, renovated it and renamed it to the Graduate Providence.

Haunted History: Throughout its history, the Biltmore has been known to have paranormal activity such as disembodied laughter, locks locking on their own, and multiple apparitions. Perhaps this is because the main investor in the property is none other than Johan Leisse Weisskopf, a known Satanist. It was widely known that the Hotel was set up to educate New England about Satanism. There were regular Satanic rituals performed, and the chicken coops on the roof supplied animals for sacrifice, and the hot springs in the basement were used in cleansing rituals. Other possible causes of the paranormal activity could be the many murders in the Hotel including that of an 11-year-old prostitute and a suicide claiming the life of an unknown financial worker who flung himself off the 14th floor due to the stock market crash in 1929. Less sinister activity includes sounds of crazy parties, clinking of glasses and stomping of dancers from parties long ago. Some of the dancing apparitions have been spotted by guests now and again in the grand ballroom. If you’re looking for a spooky place to stay on your next vacation, this Hotel should definitely be on your list!